Powerbook making odd noises

macrumors 68020

I have a new 15" Powerbook 1.5Ghz with the upgraded hard drive (to 5400rpm). Anyway, every once in a while I hear a high pitched squeeking kind of sound. It is not real loud, just enough for me to tell that it is coming from my laptop. I can't seem to figure out what it is. My best guess is that it is the hard drive or fan (I hope not), but I have also heard the normal fan and hard drive sounds (more of a whiring and clicking of the head). So if anyone has any idea, please tell me. Thanks.

macrumors 65816

I think you should call apple because i have the same Processor and hd as you and i don't here any noises except for the clicking of the hd when i am downloading/installing a lot of stuff at once. My fan also almost never comes on because my machine never gets to the point where it has to turn the fan on.

macrumors 6502a

I get a very high pitched, quiet noise occasionally as well. Last I noticed it was when I tapped my expose shortcut. It made the sound as the windows moved, then stopped after the windows stopped. I think it has something to do with a sudden demand of... something.

macrumors 65816

Actually, the high pitched squeak is normal. All powerbooks, including the Titaniums, made this noise. I don't remember the exact explanation (if anyone ever figured out at all), but if you do a search I'm sure you'll find it.

macrumors member

Test this out on your PB, in energy saver on Options tap set the Processor Performance to automatic. That should min the noise. If you set to reduced there should be almost no noise. Let us know if its true.

macrumors 68020

Yeah, mine squeaks too, but only when the display isn't doing anything important and it's VERY quiet in the room. Like if I minimize or switch windows or drag them around, the squeal momentarily ceases, but as soon as it's done and waiting for me again, it squeals.

My advice is go listen to some loud music for 5 years. You'll never notice the squeak again. (that is, until tinnitus sets in)

macrumors 603

I get this occasionally as well. Sometimes only in one of my accounts, sometimes after messing with video. Its damn annoying when it happens in a quite room. I found the hassle of rebooting makes it go away.

thread startermacrumors 68020

I am glad to hear it is somewhat normal. It seems to do it randomly for me and only a few seconds at a time (never lasted for more than 10 seconds without a break). I may get it checked out if my university repair center will do it for free, but other than that I won't worry.

macrumors newbie

Test this out on your PB, in energy saver on Options tap set the Processor Performance to automatic. That should min the noise. If you set to reduced there should be almost no noise. Let us know if its true.

Click to expand...

Just wanted to confirm I have the same squeeking noise and it does depend on the processor's processing speed. In reduced Processor Performance (enery settings) the noise is hardly perceptible, in automatic it varies according to processing demand and in the highest setting it is always there, specially annoying when working at night with very low external noise interference.

15"pb, 1.5GHz

By the way. Has anyone experienced problems with audio comms using the beta version of skype. I seem to give plenty of return to my partner speaker, forcing me to use headphones.
(Please excuse me if this is not the right place for this question; and would appreciate if someone could let me know if there is a specific forum for this issue)

macrumors 6502

My 1.33 makes the same sound, and i believe it to be, as said, the cooling fan for the processors. I have it on constantly when folding or doing anything processor intensive, but with iTunes open and music on, there is no problems with the noise. My Previous work laptop (Dull Latitude C600) was EXTREMELY noisy. Now there was a Piece Of Crap of a computer. We have now switched to Apple at work, so my PowerBook is used more and more.

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